Chapter 29: Chapter 28 - Meeting with Namjoon
The S-Rank gate I cleared earlier today is literally everywhere—news channels, social media, you name it. It's not just Korea talking about it; the whole world is buzzing. My name's on everyone's lips right now. Oh, and get this—there's this video of my clones fighting Golems outside the gate, and then me showing up in the middle of it all. That's gone viral too. My Instagram? Absolute chaos. Before this dungeon, I had 12 million followers. Now? 22 million and still climbing. I posted a simple "Job Done ✅" after I got back, and it's already hit 9 million likes in just 8 hours. Not too shabby, huh?
Oh, and the meeting with Namjoon got postponed. Not by me, though. He's the one who suddenly asked to reschedule. No clue why. But it's fine, honestly—I've got more time to myself now.
I spent a couple of hours studying, but honestly, it was pretty boring. My English is already solid, so there wasn't much to learn. Before I knew it, it was 9 PM, and dinner time rolled around. I'm not really into eating out, so I decided to cook something for myself.
Tonight's menu? **Kimchi Jjigae**—spicy kimchi stew. It's a classic Korean comfort food. Simple, but if you do it right, it hits the spot. I grabbed all the ingredients: kimchi, tofu, pork belly, garlic, and some green onions.
Now, cooking isn't just about throwing stuff into a pot. It's about getting the details right. I heated up the pot, tossed in the pork belly, and let it sizzle. The smell started filling the kitchen, and my stomach was already growling. I added the kimchi next, letting it fry until it softened and the flavors really came out. A splash of kimchi juice, some garlic, and a bit of chili powder—just enough to give it that spicy kick.
As the stew started simmering, I cubed the tofu and sliced up the green onions. Timing is everything when it comes to cooking, and I know exactly when to add each ingredient. I gently dropped in the tofu, letting it soak up all that spicy broth. A quick taste test—yup, perfect. The right balance of tangy, spicy, and savory.
The green onions went in last, giving the stew a fresh finish. I ladled it into a bowl, the steam rising in waves. I sat down at the table, grabbed my spoon, and took a bite. Yeah, I nailed it.
"Still got it," I muttered to myself, leaning back with a smirk. Cooking's like any other skill—when you're good, you're good. And let's just say, I'm *very* good.
As I ate, I couldn't help but think about how everything's falling into place. The gate, the fame, the followers—I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be. And if cooking a simple dinner like this can make me feel this satisfied, I'm not worried about what's next.
---
**Next Day...**
Again, it was early morning, and I didn't have anything especially planned. No raid deals or anything like that. Although I've received a ton of contract offers via email, I feel bored just reading through them all. It's a bit overwhelming, to be honest.
I've been thinking about a solution to this problem, and I think I've got it: I need to hire a manager. Or maybe even two or more. Someone who can handle things like social media, contract deals, and all that stuff. It'd make my life a whole lot easier.
On another note, there's more information about Sung Jin-woo, and it's… interesting, to say the least. He's done something even more suspicious than before.
Here's the short version: he killed the hunters he teamed up with for a raid after they tried to kill him. The weird part? They were all higher rank than him—that means they were supposed to be more powerful. But he took them out without any trouble.
I'm starting to wonder what's really going on with him. It's strange, to say the least.
---
**[3rd Person Perspective]**
Naruto walked into the cozy bar, his black outfit blending perfectly with the dim lighting. The place was quiet, with only a few people scattered around. He kept his black cap pulled low, hiding his face from any curious eyes. He spotted Namjoon sitting at a corner table, nervously tapping his fingers on the table as he sipped from a glass of whiskey. Naruto smirked slightly as he approached, knowing exactly what was coming.
"Hey," Naruto said, sliding into the seat across from Namjoon. His voice was calm and casual, but it carried a confidence that made Namjoon sit up a little straighter.
"Hey," Namjoon replied, setting his glass down. "Thanks for coming. I wasn't sure you'd make it."
"I said I would," Naruto replied, leaning back in his chair. "What's up?"
Namjoon hesitated, his fingers fidgeting with the edge of his glass. He looked uncomfortable, like he was carefully choosing his words. Naruto noticed but didn't push. He just waited, letting the silence hang between them.
Finally, Namjoon cleared his throat. "So, uh… my dad's been thinking about getting into the Hunter business. He wants to start a guild. But…" He paused, glancing at Naruto briefly before looking away. "He's only willing to put his money into it if you join."
Naruto raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "Your dad wants me to join his guild, huh?"
"Yeah," Namjoon replied, his voice a little shaky. "He thinks you're… well, you're the best. And having you on board would give the guild instant credibility. It'd be a huge deal."
Naruto watched him for a moment, noticing how nervous Namjoon was. It was clear he wasn't used to making pitches like this, especially to someone like Naruto. But Naruto wasn't the type to let people squirm unnecessarily.
"Relax," Naruto said, his tone calm but firm. "You don't have to be nervous. I'm not gonna bite your head off."
Namjoon let out a small, awkward laugh. "Yeah, I know. It's just… this is kind of a big deal for us."
"I get that," Naruto said, leaning forward slightly. "But here's the thing: I'm not looking to join any guild right now. Not yours, not anyone's."
Namjoon's shoulders slumped slightly, but he nodded. "I figured you'd say that. But I had to ask, you know? My dad's been breathing down my neck about it."
Naruto smirked. "Tell your dad I'm flattered, but I've got my own plans. I'm focusing on one-time deals for now. That's where I'm at."
Namjoon nodded again, this time more firmly. "Yeah, I get it. You're not the type to tie yourself down. I'll let him know."
"Good," Naruto said, leaning back again. "And tell him not to take it personally. It's not about his guild. It's about what works for me."
Namjoon smiled slightly, some of the tension easing from his shoulders. "I'll do that. Thanks for hearing me out, at least."
"No problem," Naruto replied. "You're not a bad guy to talk to, Namjoon. Just don't let your dad turn you into his messenger."
Namjoon laughed, a little more genuine this time. "Yeah, I'll try to avoid that in the future."
They sat in silence for a moment, the low hum of the bar filling the space between them. Naruto glanced around, making sure no one was paying attention to them before he spoke again.
"Anything else?" Naruto asked, his tone casual.
"Nah, that's it," Namjoon replied, finishing his drink. "Thanks for coming out, though. I know you're busy."
"Busy's an understatement," Naruto said with a small smirk. "But I've got a little time to spare every now and then."
"Good, best of luck for your future," Namjoon said, standing up from his seat. "I'll leave then, and again, thanks for agreeing to this meeting, even though things didn't go as I hoped."
"Yeah, I know. But it was a good meeting," Naruto replied, as Namjoon nodded and walked out of the bar.